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Diamond D f/ Sadat X & Lord Jamar "A Day In The Life" (1992)

Producer: Diamond D

Album: Stunts, Blunts, & Hip Hop

Label: Chemistry/Mercury/Polygram

Diamond D: “My Uncle Kevin had the album [that I found the sample on]. He was a Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson fan. I went through all my family member’s records. But I found that record at his house, and I was like, ‘Okay, this might be some shit right here.’ I was one of the first producers putting samples on speed 45. People who have the original of that, they know what I’m talking about.

I was one of the first producers putting samples on speed 45. People who have the original of that, they know what I’m talking about.

”[I formed a relationship with Brand Nubian] up at Jazzy Jay’s studio. I was recording there, and [Grand Puba of Brand Nubian] was recording there, because Puba was on Strong City Records with a group called Masters of Ceremony. When Puba got the deal with Brand Nubian at Elektra, they recorded the majority of One for All at Jay’s studio. I was recording my album around the same time. I recorded Fat Joe’s album there, Lord Finesse’s second album there, and the majority of the Showbiz and A.G. album. Jazzy Jay’s studio was the focal point for everybody.

“So yeah, we recorded ‘A Day in the Life’ at Jazzy Jay’s. I came up with the hook, just to stay in tune with what Brand Nubian was doing on their album. Then we all wrote our verses on the spot right there. It was just spontaneous. Sometimes the best songs come out that way.”